The England captain was in the front row at the WWE Raw show at Manchester Arena when he threw down the gauntlet during a light-hearted ‘trash talk’ during the US wrestling extravaganza, reports the Manchester Evening News .

All eyes were on Rooney as he was brought into the action shortly before a fight involving Irish superstar Sheamus and Antonio Cesaro.

Preston-born Wade Barrett, who was announced as being ‘from Manchester’, took the mic and started goading Rooney.

He said: “In this ring are two men who can be easily be described as as championship material.

“Which is, of course, more than can be said of Wayne Rooney and Manchester United.”

Barrett - who is 6ft 7ins - told the crowd thought about inviting Rooney, who was with his son, on stage but added: “I would hate for your little boy to have to watch his own father fail. He gets to experience that every single time you step on a football pitch.”